Federated States of Micronesia

Chuuk State: 1st Quarter rainfall amounts varied substantially across Chuuk State, with the highest totals in southern atolls (such as Ettal, Lukunoch, and Ta), and the lowest totals in northern atolls (such as Fananu, Onoun and Piis Panew). Rainfall totals near or below 5 inches in each of the months January, February and March at some northern atolls caused serious problems for residents where there was limited rainfall catchment storage capability. Also, the combination of high surf with high astronomical tides caused sea inundation of taro patches on several atolls. These conditions led to the Declaration of Disaster by the Chuuk State Government. Conditions were quite dry at Chuuk Lagoon and in the northern atolls for all of January through most of February. By early February it seemed that some of the atolls of Chuuk State would be in serious trouble because of a lack of rain. Later in February, however, a tropical disturbance moved through Chuuk State , accompanied by heavy rainfall that alleviated the dry conditions to all locations except the northern islands. In late March, the tropical depression that became Typhoon Kong-Rey moved through Chuuk State causing another episode of heavy rainfall at many locations.